The early reviews of Matt Shakman’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps are in, and they proudly proclaim that the superhero spectacle is, in fact, fantastic!

Set to roll out in cinemas next week on July 25, the brand-new iteration of Marvel’s first family banks on the talents of the leading quartet Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joesph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Social media has already been flooded with immensely whole-hearted positive reactions for the next addition to the highly anticipated summer blockbuster lineup after ex-Marvel director James Gunn’s Superman.

As far as the early critic responses go, the Matt Shakman directorial reinstates faith in silver-screen Marvel outings after a relatively underwhelming track record since after 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. Shattering all fears of uncertainty, the first movie of the Marvel Cinematic Universe‘s Phase Six set in the ’60s appears to have won over film critics by a landslide. Some even went as far as hailing it the “prettiest” comic book movies “of all time” and “the most beautiful CBM of the year.”

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps early reactions signal an overwhelmingly positive outcome waiting for fans on July 25

All in all, the general sentiment shared by a good number of reactions insisted that The Fantastic Four 2025 outing had sparked the MCU with a promising hope. The big win for the comic book movie has been attributed to the impeccable ’60s retro-futuristic visuals and Michael Giacchino’s mesmerising score.

On the flip side, deafening applause cheered on the chemistry between Pedro Pascal’s Mister Fantastic and Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm, and Joseph Quinn’s standout contributions as Human Torch, in addition to Kirby and Ebon Moss-Bachrach stealing the spotlight as the film’s “heart and soul.”

A self-proclaimed ‘Box Office Expert,’ tweeted that the film “isn’t just fantastic: it’s a triumph.”

“Shakman’s all-time direction & masterful score create a genre-defining retro-futuristic film, leading to a better, brighter & optimistic MCU. The 4 leads are everything we needed. Joseph Quinn’s casting is generational,” wrote @filmsbyJuan.

Another user pens, “#FantasticFour is an incredible movie. The first 60 minutes are fantastic but in general, the whole movie is honestly magical. If you go into this movie with your expectations high- prepare for your mind to still be blown. It’s THAT good.” Sharing a message for people whose patience runs thin in movie theatres, @yoshiyshzey wrote, “Also STAY around for the end credits.”

Signalling big-time hope for the MCU ahead, George McKay writes, “#FantasticFour Quite possibly the best Marvel Studios film ever released. Absolutely loaded with talent and standout performances from Vanessa Kirby and Joseph Quinn. If you thought the MCU died with Endgame, think again. Thoughtfully crafted and easily a genre-defining classic.”

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After catching the first 30 minutes of the new Fantastic Four movie, The Geek Centric podcast’s Justin Lawrence couldn’t hold back his thoughts. “WOW — this feels like its own thing. Retro, stylized, and separate from the main MCU. The footage jumped around, teasing bold ideas, stunning visuals, and off-the-charts chemistry between Pedro & Vanessa. Shalla-Bal looks DOPE!” he tweeted.

‘Story about family’: Fantastic Four cast achieves what once seemed impossible

DiscussingFilm’s Andrew J Salazar described the MCU flick as “a story about family above all else, where each member of the team is equally important.” Applauding the retro ’60s aesthetic, he added, “No one is underserved; the movie excels when fleshing out the various bonds between Pedro, Vanessa, Ebon, & Joseph.”

@selinasboot couldn’t get enough of the main quartet’s radiating chemistry. Noting how their “interactions are just as exciting as any actions scene,” they declared the film a “treat.” As for the other mainstays of the movie, they wrote, “Galactus and silver surfer are incredibly realized and bring serious stakes, something missing from recent mcu movies.”

The upcoming Marvel Studios film brings back the iconic superhero team stronger and better than ever. Despite the multiple failed cinematic experiments with the beloved gang, The Fantastic Four: First Steps promises a much-needed redemption arc. Head out to theatres near you on July 25 to catch the team-up of a lifetime in action, owning up to their signature family-inspired heartiness.